"Len was definitely one of the most influential commerce professors I have met. Unforgettable memories include his creative ways of lecturing and extra care for students at all times. Len always put in extra efforts in making his lectures more interesting and fun for students. I am sure all his Commerce 394 students will remember the time when he brought in a piano and play for us in one of his lectures. Len was always in good-spirits and his positive attitudes towards everything serve as an excellent role model for students."

Amy Hwang
TLOG Student

I remember Len telling us (his comm 394 class) how much he enjoyed playing his piano and would like to bring it in to play for us...in return that we sing for him! He brought a little bit of cheer into the classroom everyday with his eclectic sense of humour. My only regret is not knowing him longer.

-Olivia Hung
3rd yr.Marketing

I've known and worked with Len for a number of years now, both in the Transportation & Logistics Division and in the Operations & Logistics Division.

He has always been pleasant, conscientious, and a true gentleman, as well as full of life, humour, music, and patience. I've enjoyed discussions with him on a number of subjects... music, church, teaching, research, etc., and he always had a quick, humorous comeback to all my emails!

He has been a good friend and I will sorely miss him.

Betty Gelean

I am attaching a couple of e-mails from Len. These were with regards to a letter of reference he wrote for me in June as I was applying for a work permit in the US. He wrote my letter in one day, and was extremely complimentary in the letter. Len truly appreciated the friendships he formed with some of his students, and his students respected him for it.

Len also wrote me a letter of recommendation for a scholarship I applied for; he was always willing to lend a helping hand. Len wasn't strictly concerned with classroom theories, he wanted his students to be prepared for life after university. In addition, he always kept his classes interesting with stories of his days at Indiana University, speaking on the Rafe Mair show, etc.

It is unfortunate that such a great professor and gentlemen had to pass on early in life, but I am very appreciative of the fact that I knew Len Henriksson. I will be in contact with the staff members of his college Fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, so he can be remembered in their next magazine issue.

Thanks and regards,
Josh

One time I bumped into him and his friend at the Chan Centre's free band concert, which my boyfriend's sister was also playing at. I was a bit shy about saying "hi" to Len because I didn't know if he remembered me. But he saw me from a distance and gave me and my boyfriend a "salute". Then he talked to me after the concert and asked if I enjoyed it. Ever since then every time my boyfriend does a "salute", we would both beam with joy because we would always remember how kind and sweet he was that night.

At the end of the last class at the end of the semester, Len humbly thanked us for being in his class and wished us well for our future. Then the class couldn't wait to give him an uproar of applaude. I remember how the applause lasted and echoed in the classroom for a long time. He bowed humbly to the class. This is how I remember Professor Henriksson. I remember all the things he had taught me that a textbook can never teach: respect for those around me, my own civil obligation for my community and the courage to live out my faith in all aspects of my life.

Much love,
Harriet To, 4th year human resources student

Len was my favourite Professor.
I first met Len in September of 2000. After the first class I knew Len was different. The way he talked to students and the way he talked about himself was very different from other professors. Len always treated students as equals; he called me Kevin so I called him Len. I don't think I once heard somebody call him Mr. Henriksson.

Len always cared and he was always available to give advice or just to listen when a student had something to say.

I have never had a professor like Len and I am sure I never will. He just cared so much. He would go out of his way to make sure that students were happy and understood the work.

I was recently in the Undergraduate office, and the topic of respect for students came up because there had been some problems in one of my classes. When I started to compare this professor to Len, the woman stopped me. She said that Len was an exception, and it just was not fair, or realistic to hold other people to Len's level. The woman told me Len visited the Undergraduate Office a few times every week just to be sure that things were ok. Every time they told him the same thing "No Len there are no problems, the students love you". This is how it was with Len; he was so conscious of the feelings of students that he would go out of his way to ensure everything was all right.

Len went above and beyond the call of duty as a professor. In classes with Len, students did not just learn about government and business or logistics, they learnt about life. Once in a while Len would hand out coloured sheets with non-examinable information, these sheets outlined topics such as resumes and business etiquette. In conjunction with these sheets came stories where Len would apply the topic to an experience with a student or something that had happened in his life.

Len always had a story, and students were always interested so they always listened. There are a few stories in particular that I remember, but I don't feel I could do them justice. Len just had a way of telling a story that gave it such meaning, thus making it so memorable.

One class Len brought in his electronic organ, he put on a performance for the class and somehow made it seem relevant to what we were learning. I think it may have had something to do with everybody being good at something. Len said he was good at playing the organ, but over the next four months I had Len as a professor, I learnt he was good at much more then just playing the organ.

This term I am working on a project with my friend Cam, who happens to be the president of the Young Liberals. Cam had so many good things to say about Len, I just assumed he had taken one of Len's classes, but I was wrong. Cam has never had a class with Len, and didn't really know him. What Cam knew came from the Liberals Party, and all the good things they had to say about Len. Cam described Len as "a great friend to the Liberal Party".

Len always went above and beyond my highest expectations of a professor. I feel lucky to have been taught by Len, and I know anybody else whom he taught feels exactly the same way.

Len will be sorely missed and I know I will never forget him.

Kevin Mueller

Len Henriksson was one of a rare breed - he was a professor who loved what he did and in return, was loved by all of his students. He made us all work very hard for our marks, but he was always available to offer help and it was clear that he cared about all of his students.

Len had a gift for teaching - he managed to make what should have been a very boring course (Government & Business) one of the best and most interesting that I have ever taken. Who could ever forget him bringing a keyboard to class and playing songs to teach us how to be good public speakers? Or his many funny stories to illustrate all his points, especially on gambling and marking inferior papers?

Even though he was a very busy person, Len took the time to write me several law school reference letters. He gave me good advice, and made sure to keep track of how I was doing. It is in large part due to him that I have been accepted to some of the nation's top law schools. For this, I shall be forever grateful to him.

Len was a great professor and a great man. He taught us all very important lessons - not just about our studies, but about life in general. Loved by all who knew him, he will be sorely missed.

Adeline Kong
4th Year M.I.S

My name is Colin, and I was a student in Len's class last term for government/business. I must say I was extremely shocked and saddened by the incident, and offer my deepest condolences to you and your family.

I would like to share a couple of my thoughts on Len:

Now, I'm sure Len must have been a great son to you'll, but in addition to that, he was also an excellent prof and an outstanding ambassador for UBC. Being that government/business can be a pretty dry course and the fact it was first thing in the morning (8:30 a.m.), this had all the makings of a "snoozer". This was until we all met Len Henriksson. Right from day one, he always made the class interesting, kept the class involved, and amused us with his various antics. He told us he was a musician, and I remember the day he brought his piano in class and used it to explain his lesson, and play some tunes for us. I'll also remember how he was always outside the class ten minutes before it started to give us the handouts for that day, and wish us a good morning! Maybe it was that friendly smile first thing in the morning, or his infectious personality, but Len always seemed to have an aura about him, that just kept everyone in an upbeat mood!

And that wasn't all. Besides being a great professor, Len often taught us about life and offered us daily tips on how to conduct ourselves in the business world. It was through him, that I learnt how to offer my opinions for what I believe in, and that if one is willing, they can make a difference. I now regret not telling Len what a great job he did last term, and thank him for all his opinions/insights. I guess sometimes, one does not get such a chance. However, instead of dwelling on Len's passing, like I did the first couple days, I think we should all be celebrating his life. Sometimes, we can never understand why these things happen, for I often tell students taking government/business this term, how lucky they would have been to have Len teaching them.

However, due to my faith, I strongly believe God has a plan for all of us, and he probably felt Len was just needed in heaven more than he was down here. I heard Len used to play the piano in church, and I can just imagine him up there right now, greeting everyone as they come into church, and playing the piano for the Lord.

He's in a better place now, and Lord knows he deserves it.

Sincerely,
Colin

Professor Len Henriksson deserves the 2001 Teachers Award.

Not only were his class well organized and interesting, he had always been preparing us for the real world by providing us with his personal embarrassing stories as examples of what we should not do. Few profs are as dedicate and empathetic of us as Professor Len. The notice of his passing away was shocking to all of us. We regret losing such a unique professor in the Faculty of Commerce. We will try our best to remember his teachings so that none of his hard work will go to waste.

Ivy

I was deeply saddened to hear of his sudden passing. If there was one professor worth visiting after graduation, it was Len.

I had the privilege of getting to know Len when he filled in as the Faculty Advisor for the Transportation and Logistics Co-op program last summer. He was wonderful to work with. His concern and care for these students was immediately evident. I also learned of Len's musical abilities when he let me know that he would not be able to attend a site visit with me (we visit students while they are working at their employment site) due to a funeral he had to go to. I immediately offered my condolences to which he replied "No, no...I play the organ at funerals". One of my last memories of Len is from this past September when we both were on the UBC Commerce team doing the Grouse Grind race. Of course, Len made it up the mountain way before me but there he was cheering me on over those last few hundred meters.

Len will be truly missed by all of us that knew him. My sincerest condolences and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.

Linda Gully
Manager, Undergraduate Careers and Co-op

As a Transportation and Logistics Co-op major in my final year, I was fortunate to have Len as a professor for two classes, Commerce 349 (1999) and Commerce 394 (2001). He was also the Faculty Advisor for the T-log Co-op program for a short time. Not only did I learn from Len in class, but also at faculty events, where I learned skills that could not be found in a classroom. Len taught his students that there was so much more to life than facts and formulas, there was also the richly rewarding social aspects of life. From playing the piano in class, to stories from his time at Indiana University, I learned from Len how to act as a professional in the business world. Len recognized something that many professors don't-that students need to learn social skills and manners. Len epitomized class and respect, he always had a kind things to say about everyone and everything.

I remember frequently seeing Len on sunny days, sitting or standing under the tree beside the 99 Chairs restaurant. He would always be wearing his trademark red Indiana sweater with the white stripes.
Len's stories during his time as a student and teaching at Indiana University were always looked forward to. In both classes, he brought in examples of what not to do with cover letters and resumes accompanied by humourous anecdotes. His teaching style, examples and passion for learning ensured that each student learned a great deal.

Len touched many student's lives, including mine. He taught me to strive for knowledge and the importance of asking the right questions. Those gifts are truly eternal, and Len will never be forgotten for them.

Kristy Sandhu